Just dropping in to say that this is the last chapter in this setting before we move on to other things. Hope I'm not boring you!
A harsh shiver shot up Dwalin's spine as he closed the door of Thorin's chambers. He grumbled to himself and stomped toward the dark and cold bedroom. He shut that door loudly - loud enough to startle the figure sitting in the chair beside the bed. With hunched shoulders - more from his weary day than cold - Dwalin stoked the dying fire in the hearth.
"Fili not with you?" Dis' quiet voice asked carefully for she noted the heavy frown on Dwalin's brow.
"Nay," he growled. "He's seeing to the people. Making sure they have enough means to last the cooling weather." He turned from the hearth and pulled up another chair on the other side of the bed. "He's a good man, your son. Hardly ever gets any credit these days." He glanced up at the female dwarf and offered her a short smile.
She twiddled her fingers in her lap. "So I've been told," she said - her voice void of any emotion.
Dwalin let the silence linger between them for a while longer before repeating what just about everybody said when they first walk into the room, "Why's it gotta be so damn cold in 'ere?"
Dis shrugged. "I hardly ever seem to have the energy to get up and tend to it. I just sit here and worry over Kili." She sniffed.
"No changes?"
She nodded her head slightly. "There's been some. I mean, the elves were by to give him the antidote... Fili is... very optimistic it will work." She ran her palms along her lap. "I am not."
Dwalin grunted in reply. "Ye should be more open to the possibility of that lot doing us good favors. They're not all as heartless and you and Thorin seem to paint them."
Dis looked at him sharply, narrowing her eyes. "You did not see them waltz in here-"
"Ye're just like yer brother," Dwalin interrupted with a sharp and judgmental growl of his own. "Damn nearly killed him last time he thought that way."
The female dwarf scowled and folded her arms across her chest. "My son is dying, Dwalin. Perhaps you've forgotten?"
He narrowed his eyes. "I haven't, Lady Dis. Ye've just forgotten yerself that yer son is tryin' his hardest out there. He's providing for the kingdom, talking with the council, negotiating with the elves, making sure his brother lives to see another day. He hasn't given up hope, and neither should ye, my lady." He stood up and continued grumbling - more to himself than towards Dis. He ran a hand over his bald head.
He inhaled a shaky breath and exhaled slowly. "I apologize, Lady Dis. You did not deserve those harsh words. I- My mind hasn't been straight as of late."
"Ori?" Dis guessed in a pitied voice.
"Aye," he nodded. He sat down again and put his head in his hands, heaving out another great sigh.
The female dwarf reached over and put a comforting hand on his forearm. "You alright?"
He let out a short snort. "Aye, I'll be fine," he grunted. "Dori's.. Dori's getting to him. Telling him lies about me. Things I would never do to my One."
"How has he been?"
"I wish I knew," he shook his head. "He's asleep when I get in, and he's awake and locked away in the library by the time I leave. Bifur tells me there's sounds of crying coming from the deep halls of the library. I know it's him, but he's shutting me out."
"Bofur told me what happened," Dis revealed. "With Nori. I have to ask, if you had known before Dori did, would you have told Ori?"
Dwalin let out a thoughtful grunt, running a hand over his face. "I dunno. I would like to think I would, but... the more I think about it, I suppose I'd keep it from him."
"Why?"
"He's.. he's a simple lad. He's too fragile for that sort of news. I couldn't bear to be the one to break it to him."
"He's too fragile or you're just like Dori, and mothering him from what he can and can't hear?" Fili said with a concerned frown on his face. He stood in the doorway, obviously catching the last piece of the conversation. He looked at Dwalin expectantly.
"That's not what I meant-"
"Oh? He's been through a lot. We all have. Let me remind you he was the third youngest on the quest. He's made it this far, found love in you, and now he's too fragile to handle his own brother's death? For Aule's sake, Dwalin! Have you forgotten he saved you in the battle against Bolg?"
Dwalin lowered his head. "Nay, I have not."
Fili gave Dwalin a stern look even though the dwarf did not chance in glancing up. "I feel this is the same as Thorin underestimating Bilbo. I don't want to hear you speak about Ori like that again."
He came to stand at the foot of the bed, glancing at Kili's body once before looking at Dis. "Any changes?" he asked, attempting to make his voice sound fresh.
"No," she replied brokenly. "They said it would take time."
"We ain't patient folk," Dwalin grunted.
The blond cleared his throat and turned to Dwalin. "How did the interrogations go? I never did ask."
Dwalin growled to himself. "It seemed like they all rehearsed it. Said they were here to reconcile and reunite with relatives and Ones. Something shady in their words. Five hundred of them too. Damn lucky Dain didn't send the whole infantry!"
"Do you think we should question Dyla and Stonehelm? Suppose they give us a different answer," Fili mused.
"Aye, that's a thought." Dwalin looked at the younger dwarf. "But you should. He won't wanna talk to anyone who isn't royalty for some damn reason."
"I can invite Dyla over for tea," Dis piped up.
Fili looked at her quickly and shook his head. "No, Mum."
"I could help," she continued. "Even you said so yourself I should get out of this room for a bit."
The blond cursed internally - he did say that and on more than one occasion. Damn it. "Fine, go over tomorrow. But don't cause her to become suspicious. That's the last thing we need."
Esgorath - the town smited by the dragon Smaug - was in a state of rebuilt. Stonehelm stood by, watching men and dwarves alike scurry about as they tried to get their work done for the day. His eyes lit up slightly at the sight of his old friend.
"Brilin," he greeted. He clapped the other on the shoulder. "I never did properly thank you," he nodded to the other dwarf with a great smile.
"Those gold coins did the thankin'," Brilin grinned. "More'n it, actually. Stocked my family's stables with three pigs and two ponies. Much obliged, sir."
The other dwarf laughed fondly. "I suppose you haven't got another set?"
"I ain't workin' for no one else if that's what ya mean."
"Excellent!" Stonehelm clapped the dwarf on the back again. "Give this to that one lad ya had work for ya."
Brilin nodded eagerly. "Yes sir."
Stonehelm casually slipped an arm around Brilin's shoulders - his mind in full gear of a plan. "How are things in Esgorath?"
"Rebuildin' and livin' off of the fish sir. Most of the town have returned to Dale."
"Hm, is that so. How's Bard?"
He shrugged. "Dunno sir, not really heard much."
"Say we take a walk," Stonehelm smiled. "There's something I must ask you."